THE PERFECT PRINCIPLE EXPRESSION OF INSURMEASUREABILITY SINCE 1986
The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 34 #34 • Wednesday, January 29, 2020 • www.echo.net.au
Mullum’s stormwater and sewerage woes laid bare
Achievements celebrated
Paul Bibby A Council assessment has found that nearly 70 per cent of the stormwater network in the oldest part of Mullumbimby is at a high risk of failure, highlighting the urgent need for an assessment of the network across the entire Shire. The report, commissioned by Council, will be tabled at the Water, Waste and Sewer Advisory Committee at its January 30 meeting. It has found that the stormwater and sewerage mains in the centre of Mullum, and areas immediately south, have suffered significant deterioration and have not been sufficiently maintained. As a result, 69 per cent of the stormwater network and 41 per cent of the sewer network in the oldest parts of Mullum have either a high or very high risk of failure. This could result in properties being flooded, pipes collapsing, or the collapse of pavements and road surfaces in some places owing to sinkholes.
The 2020 Byron Shire Citizens of the year, who are pictured with mayor Simon Richardson (second from left) and Cr Sarah Ndiaye (second from right). Heart health advocate Andy Paschalidis, Byron Shire’s 2020 Australia Day ambassador, is pictured left. Photo supplied The Byron Shire Australia Day awards were held last Saturday, January 25, at the Cavanbah Centre in Byron Bay where seven awards were given to deserving individuals and groups.
Citizen of the year Past president of Liberation Larder, Helen Hamilton, was named the Byron Shire’s Citizen of the Year in recognition of her service to the community.
Young Citizen Over the last six years, James Wright has volunteered with BUDDI for the Byron Schoolies Safety Response. James is also a director of the Byron Youth Service and the Byron Youth Activities Centre.
Creative Artist Niah McLeod’s work has been
Byron Shire Council Notices ▶ p8
commissioned by councils, companies and individuals, and she has won awards for her work in Australia. Niah is a symbol of influence for all young Indigenous people.
Volunteer Margaret Robinson volunteers as an usher at Byron Community Centre and she is a director/board member of both the Northern Rivers Community Fund and the Northern Rivers Community College. In 1997 she helped transform Byron’s Marvell Hall into a thriving space.
Sportsperson Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart lost his right leg below the knee when he was just 16, but this has never impeded his determination. By the mid 1980s he became a state champion knee boarder. In 2015, Mark won the International Surfing Association’s World
Sign-on for some sporty action ▶ p14
Adaptive Championships in the US.
Environmental project Linda Sparrow from Bangalow Koalas has gained national and international recognition after enhancing koala corridors, and continues to work with government agencies and raises funds and plant trees to support the protection and sustainability of our local koalas.
$1m replacement cost So what’s the cost? The report found that replacement and rectification works to the tune of $1.09 million were required immediately. There were also 38 mains or maintenance holes that could not be assessed because of ‘obstructions’ or because they ‘could not be found’. Sewerage works valued at $515,000 were due to go out to tender late last year, and are estimated to be completed by the end of the current financial year. However, there is currently no
Community event Nudge Nudge Wink Wink is a community-led series of fundraising parties ‘with a conscience,’ established three years ago. Its organisers have raised more than $300,000 for charities such as Byron Youth Service (BYS) and Headspace, Future Dreamers, The UNCLE project and Wet Weather Shelter Project for the homeless.
The power of reforestation to combat CO2 emissions ▶ p16
Seven: so so entertaining! ▶ p25
budget for the $580,000 worth of stormwater works. The Council report said a request to fund these works was being submitted to the Transport and Infrastructure Advisory Committee.
Nothing recommend Duncan Dey, a member of the Water, Waste and Sewer Advisory Committee, which is due to receive the report on January 30, said the committee was being asked to ‘recommend nothing to Council and to just note the report’. The former councillor said he hoped the committee will instead recognise the high level of deterioration of the two systems, built between the 1940s and 1960s. Additionally he is wanting to ‘recommend expediting the current estimated expenditure to Council, recognising that this may be only the beginning.’ He said that ongoing assessment and maintenance is necessary over the life of the systems and that deterioration would worsen over time, requiring eventual replacement. Council staff noted that the poor condition of sewerage and stormwater in Mullumbimby highlighted the fact that other portions of the network across the Shire may also be in ‘particularly poor condition’. ‘It is proposed, in future, to replicate the [assessment] approach that has been adopted for this portion of the Mullumbimby catchment, and apply it to the remainder of the network in a prudent and efficient manner,’ staff said. This was due to begin in the current financial year, with the ▶ Continued on page 3
Who are the friendly tradies in your neighbourhood? ▶ p32
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